Free Software In Action: Please donate to Inveneo's work in Haiti

Paw Prints: Writings of the maddog

Jan 29, 2010 GMT

Jon maddog Hall

Four or five years ago I learned of Inveneo, a company that was trying to bring low-cost and low-power usage computers to the developing world. They were some of the first to use Asterisk to set up a PBX for a village and (of course) the recognized the benefits of other Free Software in what they did. They also recognized the issues of reducing power consumption in computers so you reduce the number (and cost) of solar panels.

I met the three co-founders, Kristian Peterson, Bob Marsh and Mark Summer at many different FOSS events, and I am proud to say that I once helped them get booth space for free at a Linuxworld event in San Francisco when they showed up and there was "no space left". "Of course you can find space for these people, their task is important" I said the the show management. I felt just like Obi-wan Kenobi using a "Jedi mind trick" on the storm troopers when the show management immediately turned to the floor personnel and said "make room for Inveneo".

I often use Inveneo as an example of what FOSS software can do, sometimes using pictures of their equipment in my talks. Of course, being pragmatists, they also use Microsoft from time to time, but for the most part they believe in and use Free Software.

Now my friends at Inveneo are helping in another part of the world by helping to re-establish communications in Haiti. I received email from them today talking about what they have already done and asking for donations so they can continue to deploy badly needed equipment.

Please read this email and consider donating, even if it is just a small amount.